Strengthen planning & heritage protections for historic church buildings

Church buildings have long supported communities through worship, food banks, youth work, counselling, charity activities, and public events. As more churches close, many historic buildings risk what we believe is unsuitable commercial redevelopment, that could damage their heritage and remove valuable community spaces. We ask the Government to strengthen planning policies, guidance and protections, so councils are legally required to prioritise community, charitable, cultural, heritage, educational, or faith based uses wherever practical.